Interview with Merrick Preparatory School PARENT, Daniela Swientek
- Name
Daniela Swientek - Child 1
Gr. 11 - Gr. 12 (Male, Boarding Student)
Daniela, parent at Merrick Preparatory School, shared her views on the supportive application process, the school's strong academics, inclusive environment, and exceptional communication. She praised the school's impact on her son's maturity, creativity, and preparation for university.
Highlights from the interview
Right from the start, we felt that there was a lot of support, a lot of interest in my son’s talents and skills, and us as a family. My son had to do an interview and write something like a little essay. Everyone was really keen to learn about him and his way of thinking. The atmosphere at school with lots of friends, pastoral care, academic care, and feeling at home stood out the most.
Our son has responded very nicely to the school. He has become a self-organized, mature, responsible person. He really learned to live and learn in a multicultural environment with a lot of support. He learned to be creative, to access learning materials, to prepare for university, and to become a well-shaped young man.
What stood out the most for me as a parent was that everyone was available all the time. You could reach everyone with questions, thoughts, and issues. Whatever arose, it was addressed immediately, and there was always someone to talk to.
What surprised me the most was how informal and friendly the relationship was with the leadership team and the teachers. It is a highly regarded school with strong academics, but we also felt like family, and we are still in contact with most of the people from Merrick.
Respect and inclusion are some of the most important values at school, and they're put into action by including everyone's cultural background into food, celebrations, and the genuine interest in everyone at school. Students and teachers alike contribute to this amazing environment. What connected us, families at Merrick, is the focus on strong academics and on shaping students who are global citizens who can think outside the box and are well-prepared for university.
Our son was particularly proud of being able to live all by himself in a sheltered environment far away from home and to achieve many academic awards. He learned to understand academic concepts and concepts of friendship and respect, all in a very nice environment surrounded by nature.
All in all, it was just a life-changing experience for my son. The interactions between both administration and teachers were outstanding. We received weekly reports from all teachers in all subjects, and in between, there was always time and room for questions, which were answered immediately.
My advice to new families is to look at the communication skills of the school. Is there a genuine interest in your child and the family? Do they look beyond grades and are interested in the skills, interests, and talents of your child? Do they include you as parents and siblings? Do they want to know something about you and your background? I think that is the most important thing, that there is good communication and a genuine interest in your child.
